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The startup scene in Egypt
The OECD’s 2026 review cites a 2021 estimate that more than 90% of Egypt’s startups were based in Cairo; the estimate does not specify a city or metro boundary. This is a dated estimate, not a current count.
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The OECD’s 2026 review cites a 2021 estimate that more than 90% of Egypt’s startups were based in Cairo; the estimate does not specify a city or metro boundary. This is a dated estimate, not a current count.
As national ecosystem context, the OECD reports that fintech received 49.5% of Egyptian startup funding in 2022, with activity also in e-commerce, e-health, logistics, and marketing. It characterizes Egypt’s R&D-based startup sector as underdeveloped and facing limited funding. These figures and assessments are not specific to Cairo.
The OECD reports that Swvl began its B2C ride-sharing service in Cairo after its establishment in 2017. The company moved its headquarters to Dubai in 2019 and listed on Nasdaq through a SPAC in 2021 at a reported $1.5 billion valuation.
Cairo University presents CU2050 as a roadmap linking entrepreneurship, applied research, and industry engagement. The university names BasharSoft and iCareer among partners leading the initiative and lists MSMEDA, EEIC, EdVentures, and Endure Capital as alliance participants.
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Cairo ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | #86 | Down 3 | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | #90 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Emerging Ecosystems Ranking (GSER Top 100) | 2026 | 71 to 80 | No prior edition | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent |
72 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Cairo
Investors 40
Investor
InvestorFacilitating investment and economic development in Egypt.
InvestorFlat6Labs is an entrepreneurship platform based in Cairo, Egypt, that operates across the Middle East and Africa, providing acceleration programs and…
The 3 most prominent of 40. Browse all investors
Incubators 13
IncubatorYour Idea, Your Company
IncubatorEmpowering social entrepreneurs in Egypt.
IncubatorEmpowering fashion designers in the MENA region.
The 3 most prominent of 13. Browse all incubators
Venture studios 12
Venture studioConnecting investors with visionary startups.
Venture studioFashion venture builder and aggregator
Venture studioCreating innovative technology projects.
The 3 most prominent of 12. Browse all venture studios
Accelerators 7
AcceleratorEmpowering seed-stage tech startups in Egypt.
AcceleratorTransforming passions into profitable ventures.
AcceleratorEmpowering AI startups and talent in the Middle East.
The 3 most prominent of 7. Browse all accelerators
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Cairo
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
- Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDAInvestor
- General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)Investor
- All investors
Finding startups in Cairo
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Cairo
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Cairo
CU2050 identifies MSMEDA, EEIC, EdVentures, and Endure Capital as alliance participants.
Source: The Entrepreneurial University - CU2050AUC describes a four-month startup accelerator and displays an application link; current intake status was not confirmed.
Source: AUC Venture LabVezeeta identifies Amir Barsoum as its CEO and co-founder, dates its introduction to 2012, and lists a Cairo office.
Source: Our TeamCairo University names BasharSoft and iCareer among the partners leading the CU2050 initiative.
Source: The Entrepreneurial University - CU2050Cairo University presents CU2050 as a campus roadmap linking entrepreneurship, applied research, and industry engagement.
Source: The Entrepreneurial University - CU2050AUC reports Venture Lab has helped more than 1,000 entrepreneurs build tech-enabled startups.
Source: AUC Venture Lab
Questions about Cairo
How does Cairo rank as a startup ecosystem?
Cairo is #90 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 3 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Cairo?
40 investors based in Cairo have a profile here, including Information Technology Industry Development Agency, ITIDA, General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and Flat6Labs. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Cairo?
Yes. Cairo has 7 accelerators, 13 incubators and 12 venture studios on record, including Falak Startups, Fekretak Sherketak فكرتك شركتك and Smart Business VC.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Cairo
City
180 km away
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